Colin Iles Email & Phone Number

Johannesburg, Za

At coliniles.com, I’m on a mission to help CEOs and leadership teams reimagine the future by curating thought leadership events that don’t just inspire, but drive real change. From bespoke internal sessions designed to energise teams, to public-facing webinars that generate meaningful leads, I offer a unique platform for companies to amplify their brands and engage their target audience with innovative, purposeful conversations.coliniles.com was born out of my desire to bridge the gap between thought and action. After spending years in corporate roles, I realised that many organisations were struggling to adapt to rapid change, but lacked the platforms to spark meaningful dialogue and innovation. That’s why I started coliniles.com—to provide those platforms.Achievements & Key Responsibilities:Curated over 100 thought leadership events for top-tier companies like Standard Bank, MultiChoice, and Huawei, focussing on leadership, innovation, and future trends.Helped CEOs and executives create personal and professional brands through high-impact interviews, keynote sessions, and webinars.Facilitated strategic conversations with business leaders, driving discussions that led to actionable insights on navigating disruptive technologies and market shifts.Built and grew an engaged network of over 16,000 LinkedIn followers and 12,000 newsletter subscribers, where I regularly share insights on leadership, innovation, and business challenges.Led the design and execution of both internal and external webinars and events, blending thought leadership with practical strategies for organisational growth.At the heart of coliniles.com is the belief that every leader has the power to inspire their team and transform their business, but it starts with having the right conversations. That’s what we do—create spaces for those conversations to happen.Learn more at www.coliniles.com or drop me a line at colin@coliniles.com.

Even though I’m the token Brit, I’ve got a deep appreciation for the Saffa spirit – and yes, that includes braais and a cheeky 'howzit!' So as a founding member of The Lekker Network, I have the pleasure of helping shape a space where South Africans everywhere can connect, grow, and do business together. This community is all about building global bridges and celebrating the unique South African way of making things happen.

Johannesburg, Za

Writing for Forbes Africa has given me the incredible opportunity to contribute to the conversation on leadership and innovation in a rapidly changing world. Through my articles, my aim was to offer fresh perspectives and challenge traditional approaches to business by providing thought-provoking, practical insights.Forbes Africa, often seen as the "drama critic to business in Africa," offers readers the chance to connect the dots, form patterns, and see beyond the obvious. It was a privilege to be part of a publication that doesn’t just report on business trends but analyses them through an African lens, delivering deep, engaging stories that resonate on a global scale.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:Published a series of thought leadership articles on leadership, innovation, and business transformation.Featured on a prestigious platform that connects with business leaders and decision-makers across the African continent.Explored key themes such as the impact of technology on leadership, the future of work, and how CEOs can inspire teams in an age of disruption.

Johannesburg, Gauteng, Za

At GIBS, I was proud to contribute to a platform that equips leaders with the tools they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.GIBS is one of Africa’s leading business schools, renowned for developing future-fit leaders who can navigate the complexities of today’s business environment.It was also an absolute pleasure to co-create the updated Masterstart short-course, FinTech: An Opportunity to Disrupt, with Prof Morris Mthombeni.

Dover, Delaware, Us

As a Global Ambassador for OpenExO, I had the privilege of working with a community of over 1,000 exponential thought leaders, innovation coaches, and tech industry experts dedicated to solving the world’s most complex business challenges. OpenExO is a global ecosystem designed to transform organisations by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and augmented reality, to name just a few.In this role, I partnered with ExO entities, tech companies, and innovation accelerators to help organisations pivot towards exponential growth. My focus was on facilitating strategic discussions, connecting businesses with top-tier innovation specialists, and driving conversations that would lead to disruptive breakthroughs in various industries.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:Represented OpenExO globally, connecting thought leaders and companies with cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to strategic transformation.Facilitated workshops and discussions on exponential technologies such as AI, blockchain, and robotics, helping organisations adapt to future trends.Supported the growth of the OpenExo Ecosystem, which brings together a global community of entrepreneurs, technologists, and innovation coaches.Being part of the OpenExO community was both enlightening and rewarding, as I contributed to the global movement of transforming businesses to meet the future head-on.

Cape Town, Western Cape, Za

I was privileged to serve as Deputy Chair of the African Institute of Financial Markets Risk Management (AIFMRM), an institution dedicated to shaping the future of Africa's financial industry.The idea for AIFMRM emerged during a conversation with Prof. Don Ross and Prof. David Taylor in a Sandton car park. We discussed how to increase the number of highly qualified graduates to support trading and risk functions in investment banking. This led us to establish an industry-funded institute to source top talent and prepare them for careers in leading investment banks.Initially, I worked with Prof. Taylor and his team to build market support and secure funding. Absa, Liberty, and First Rand were the first donors. AIFMRM, housed at the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Commerce, now plays a critical role in advancing scholarship and equipping the next generation of African financial professionals with essential skills in risk management and quantitative finance.The institute’s mission reflects my passion for fostering innovation and developing new talent, especially in rapidly evolving sectors like finance. My role was to support AIFMRM’s goal of diversifying the financial services industry and driving research that tackles key challenges in African finance.While I am proud of my small but important role in forming the institute and shaping its strategy, the real credit goes to Prof. Taylor and his outstanding team. Over the last decade, they’ve empowered over 300 graduates to transform financial services.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:- Contributed to strategic leadership and implementation of AIFMRM’s vision.- Supported initiatives to diversify the talent pool in financial services by creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.- Facilitated high-level research and discussions on financial stability, risk management, and innovation in African markets.- Strengthened partnerships between academia and the financial sector.

Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Za

Johannesburg , Gauteng, Za

New York, Ny, Us

Frankfurt Am Main, Hessen, De

Variety of Global Markets related roles in Frankfurt and Singapore.

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